Interactive Riverstones: Revolutionizing Balance Training with AI and Textile Sensors

The message of the project

The Interactive Riverstones represent a collection of flat-surfaced "balance stones" designed for rehabilitation purposes, particularly targeting individuals who have experienced a stroke and encounter challenges with conventional balance tools during their recovery journey. Traditional tools often demand a certain level of basic balance, even in the early stages of rehabilitation, which can pose difficulties for stroke patients. However, the Interactive Riverstones offer an alternative by eliminating the need to navigate complex devices. 

The idea behind the project

Our aim with the Interactive Riverstones is to leverage a combination of flat, flexible, and textile-based pressure sensors, alongside artificial intelligence (AI) technology and a dedicated application, to engage and strengthen the delicate muscles in the legs and/or arms crucial for maintaining balance. This approach allows for balance challenges and monitoring to occur without straying from the stable, flat surface of the floor. Each river stone is equipped with over 200 individual touch sensors, each capable of transmitting unique signals regarding pressure intensity and duration. These textile-based sensors can seamlessly integrate into a completely flat and flexible material. Through the accompanying app, AI algorithms determine whether a particular river stone is being utilized by hand or foot, facilitating progress monitoring. Additionally, the app provides exercise guidance and tracks whether balance objectives are being met. The Riverstones feature dual-sided designs with distinct colors and textures, and they are sold individually or in sets of four, with the option to expand the collection to create pathways or frameworks for social and enjoyable rehabilitation, training, or gaming experiences.

Our project has received validation from Brian Holch Kristensen, Chief of Innovation at Bisbebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen, as evidenced by a recommendation letter. Kristensen emphasizes the importance of mobilization and patient activation, highlighting a gap in existing solutions that often cater to relatively fit patients. He underscores the necessity for rehabilitation tools tailored to individuals who may feel distressed or uncomfortable with more advanced options, thus remaining underserved by conventional programs. Kristensen's endorsement, alongside his broader perspectives on mobilization and activation, instills confidence in the potential success of our Interactive Riverstones

What next?

The core value proposition of the Interactive Riverstone project is the possibility for patients with a poor mobilization and balance to more easily participate in rehabilitation programs. The other essential values are the personalized and interactive training that will be supported by AI, the modularity of the riverstones as many can be added to the same system, the flexibility in the use, the compactness due to the flat design and the aesthetic of the stones. 

There is a great potential in future user scenarios as the stones themselves can be used for rehabilitation, training for fitness as well as motor sensory training for children and computer gaming. The use of the Riverstones will depend on the possibilities and limitations of the app. Working with healthcare professionals and viewing potential customers as strategic partners will help us to understand, develop and adjust to specific needs.